Out of Thin Air

Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements shows us not only what scientific explorers discovered but also how, revealing the creative process through the scientists' own words, and conveying their landmark discoveries through re-enactments shot with working replicas of their original lab equipment. This episode introduces viewers to some of history's most extraordinary scientists. Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier's discovery of oxygen led to the modern science of chemistry. Humphry Davy made electricity a powerful new tool in the search for elements.